After completing 75 consecutive days of treatment at Eating Disorder Solutions, if you experience a significant setback you can receive an additional 75 consecutive days of treatment at no cost.
Audrey's Eating Disorder Recovery Story
In this powerful testimonial, one individual shares their journey through eating disorder recovery, addiction, and self-discovery as a non-binary person. From struggling with over-exercising and restriction at 16… to a full relapse at 20… to finding healing in unexpected places—this story highlights the deep connection between mental health, identity, and support. You’ll hear about: The moment a simple act of care—a chest binder—became a life-changing breakthrough. How eating disorders and addiction can overlap in ways people don’t always understand. The importance of speaking up before things reach a crisis point. Rebuilding self-worth after family dysfunction and trauma. Creating a “small pocket of self-love” in the middle of recovery. This is a story about being seen, supported, and choosing to heal—even when it’s hard.
A Journey of Self-Discovery and Healing
Audrey’s eating disorder began around age 16, initially masked as an intense dedication to high school tennis. What started as a desire to achieve a certain figure quickly spiraled into severe over-exercising and severe caloric restriction. By age 20, Audrey experienced a full-blown relapse, struggling simultaneously with eating disorder behaviors and substance use—two challenges that frequently overlap and interact.
Finding Safety at Eating Disorder Solutions
After unsuccessful attempts at other treatment centers, Audrey found Eating Disorder Solutions. From the moment they arrived, the difference was clear. The EDS staff provided an environment of genuine care, safety, and immediate connection. This was a place where Audrey felt seen not just as a patient, but as a whole person.
Addressing the Root Causes
At EDS, Audrey began to unpack the deeper roots of their disorder, including family dysfunction and childhood trauma. Working closely with their primary therapist, Celia, Audrey learned to recognize their own self-worth and understand that their eating disorder was a maladaptive coping mechanism for things they couldn’t control.
A Breakthrough in Identity and Care
A pivotal moment in Audrey’s recovery occurred when the EDS staff—including Clarissa, Celia, and Danielle—went above and beyond to support Audrey’s non-binary identity by helping them acquire a chest binder. This simple, profound act of compassionate care demonstrated that the team truly wanted to help Audrey build a better life, fostering a “small pocket of self-love” essential for lasting recovery.
Embracing the Journey Ahead
Today, Audrey is navigating recovery with a renewed sense of self. Through the support of the EDS community, therapeutic ecotherapy on the ranch, and a deep connection with music, Audrey is uncovering more of themselves bit by bit. Recovery isn’t linear, but as Audrey’s story proves, getting the right help in a non-judgmental, loving environment makes all the difference.
Video Testimonial Summary
Key Takeaways from Audrey’s Story
•The Overlap of Disorders: Audrey highlights the complex interaction between eating disorders (restriction, over-exercising) and substance use, emphasizing the need for dual-diagnosis care.
•The Importance of Environment: After unsuccessful stays at other facilities, Audrey found success at EDS due to the genuinely caring, safe, and connected staff.
•Uncovering Root Causes: Therapy at EDS helped Audrey address underlying family dysfunction and childhood trauma that fueled their eating disorder behaviors.
•Identity Affirming Care: A major breakthrough occurred when EDS staff supported Audrey’s non-binary identity, proving the facility’s commitment to holistic, individualized care.
•Healing Through Nature & Community: Audrey found peace through the facility’s nature-based setting (ecotherapy) and built a strong, family-like support system with peers in the PHP and Residential programs.
•A Non-Judgmental Approach to Food: Audrey learned to view food functionally, recognizing that individual nutritional needs differ and challenging the urge to compare their plate to others.
Video Testimonial Transcript
The Beginning of the Struggle
I think I was about 16. I was playing tennis for my high school’s team and I kind of had more of an obsession with like the exercise piece of it and like the having a certain figure a certain size. So I would always overdo the exercises to the point where like I couldn’t move for the next couple days and restriction action started coming into play a little bit. And once I officially hit like 20 years old I was in a full-blown relapse my first ever and I was struggling with over exercising to the point where I couldn’t move. I was counting calories to a point where like I was only having a couple hundred a day.
Co-Occurring Disorders
And I was doing a lot of other stuff I was using at the time as well. I’m a recovering addict. And so my first eating disorder experience was also my first experience of trying to get sober and realizing that those two things for me really overlap and have a lot of interaction with each other.
Finding Eating Disorder Solutions
I heard about EDS from online actually. I had gone to ERC Plano Legacy a couple times and had never really had a successful stay there. So I looked into EDS because it was something my insurance was willing to cover and I just stepped out in my own insurance off of my parents. So that’s kind of how I found out about it.
I went to the website, I did my own research and when I got here I was very welcomed and I just felt immediately safe and connected to the staff members that I was supposed to work with and like being able to build connections with each one of them in a different way that worked and helped me be able to like get through the process of everything. But yeah and then coming back the biggest reason I was able to make myself come back was because I had so much help and support here the first time just let alone the therapist I had. And it just makes a huge difference when you have staff members that you can tell genuinely care about you and want you to have a better life for yourself.
Uncovering Root Causes in Therapy
I was feeling really alone. I had started noticing some flaws within my family system, some dysfunctions that I never paid attention to because there’d always been so much going on in my mind. And so that was the first time I started doing therapy surrounding like my childhood how I grew up and stuff like that. And it made it really hard because I recognized this is why I have some of these behaviors is because the way I grew up was not an appropriate manner in which for me to try to experience life. And so I basically developed these disorders to try and cope with things that I can’t really understand and I can’t get an explanation from them for.
Building Self-Worth
I think one of the most valuable things that I’ve been able to learn since being here again, especially, is recognizing my worth. I’m really bad at that just because of some of the ways that my family treated me growing up. And it was really heavy and hard to figure out who I was, what I liked, what I wanted to be, how I wanted to treat myself, how I deserved to treat myself. And it’s been like my biggest mission since coming back is just trying to create a small pocket of self-love so that I can try and live my life away from my disorder, from my urges, from like all these different things that are in my life trying to get me to act on them that are not helpful and have been maladaptive for a really long time.
A Breakthrough in Identity
When I came back here for the first time, it was my second stay, and I had started to notice for myself that identifying as non-binary for me, my chest is a really big sore spot for me, like that’s a spot I’ve never been able to look at. And while I was here, the staff, main staff like Clarissa, Celia, Danielle they were able to help me get a binder so I could have a flatter chest that I can physically see. And that was a huge breakthrough moment for me because I’ve never had anyone care enough to offer help with that. My own parents were like, like, we can’t, we can’t do that.
And then to have like two therapists who have only known me like previous before this, maybe four months, now six months, they did that for me. I mean, they’ve accommodated in so many ways. Like our executive director built a basketball hoop in the garage. So we’ll go play with him. We’ll play catch with the football. He got a small penny board that he thought would be cool for me to ride around during sessions. It’s just like, there’s a lot of really good experiences I’ve had here where I felt like they really want to help me out, and in most treatment centers, it’s kind of like they really want to help themselves out more than they really want to help you. But EDS, it doesn’t really feel like that.
A New Relationship with Food
Um, I think the ways that my mindset, my body has started accepting food and stuff like that again, is recognizing everyone’s needs are going to be different. So like, you know, one of the hardest things when you’re sitting at the table is looking at your plate compared to someone else’s and immediately wanting to compare and think, okay, well wait, why is mine like this and why is theirs like that? And I think for me, like I’m starting to understand more, I’m a taller person, so something that I might need may not be needed by someone who’s shorter than me. And just wanting not to judge myself on that and recognize like for my body to be healthy and to function for my mind to work I need this amount of food. And so just trying to look at it for like what the function of food does rather than like the actual calories going in sometimes really does help me.
The Importance of Community
It’s really helped a lot I’ve made a lot of really good friends here, people who I feel like I’m going to be in connection with for a while. The funny thing is, is when I came back the second time, a lot of the people who were here the first time, they were residential. I was PHP. They welcomed me back with like wide open arms and it was so kind and so sweet because I’d only been out for about 30 days before I started relapsing again. Um it was just a bad idea for me to go home at the time I think and they all welcomed me back and I had friends I had support. I have friends and support here now too even after all those people have left. And it feels like a big family like it’s funny how sometimes the dynamics are like a family like it’ll be like a sibling with one person and then another client is like your mom or they’re like that cool aunt that lets you do whatever you wanna do and supports you being a total dork.
But like, it’s cool to see the different dynamics of how people interact here. Cause it’s not just like, oh, we’re in treatment together and we’re not really wanting to be here. It’s more like, I’m here for you because I know you’re here for me.
Healing Through Nature (Ecotherapy)
Yeah, for me, like my spirituality is actually really centered around nature. I like really just like the peace of it and consistency. So like when I’m outside, I feel at peace and it’s nice because most treatment centers are like out in the city or like if you do go outside it’s like a small place in a parking lot. And the cool thing about EDS is it’s so like outdoors all in nature and everything that you can go out whenever you need to. So like if you gotta go scream and get like some emotions out you can go do that. If you just need fresh air and like a quiet place to sit you can go do that.
That’s like really cool for a facility to offer because I feel like that’s something that’s overlooked a lot is how necessary it is to be able to feel like you can get out of a situation or in an environment that may be a little too overstimulating for the moment and give yourself a chance to reset and go back. Yeah, I like to sometimes walk around the very front of the building with some of my friends and we just talk and chat. We do a daily walk to the goats on Mondays, so that’s always super cool to go feed them and just walk and meet with them. We named the donkey Jimmy, so it’s like they already have names mostly.
Reconnecting with the Inner Child
Yeah, and I’ll fly cornhole we talked about playing basketball we’ll mess around with the penny board every once in a while. We’ll just like enjoy ourselves like you kind of feel like a kid again sometimes it’s a little weird but it’s cool to like feel so comfortable in an environment that you know is like working on something that you’re afraid of letting go. Um but for it to feel like that safe where you feel like you can enjoy all parts of yourself again simultaneously is like really special. Yeah it was necessary. I kind of feel like that inner child started shutting down when I was really young still. So I didn’t have as many experiences as my friends growing up just because of my mental health overall. But it’s nice to reactivate that and be like, oh, I do have that. I haven’t seen you in a while, but hey, like, let’s go for it. Let’s have fun.
The Reality of Recovery
Like, you know, like build the life that I really wanted for myself. I feel pretty good about it. I do still have really, really hard days. I’ve been on Q15s, you know, I’ve had a lot of med changes, I’ve had some physical scares, I’ve had some mental scares, and it’s really hard. But one thing I’ve noticed is that I’m uncovering bit by bit way more than I did the last time I was here. I feel like me and my therapist work really well together and like she’s mostly in sync with where my head’s at and like we’ve had time to build a connection that works for both of us. And just like the style of how she helps me is really helpful with me just figuring things out a lot faster than I typically have in the past.
Looking to the Future
I really want to be able to go into sober living and continue my sobriety because that is also a really big part of my recovery for me. And I kind of hope to maybe come back here at some point and be like an RC because I know it’s about two, three years before you can fully come back. And I would want to be able to do that and like kind of offer the support that I had in the same ways that I had it for people who else may need it. Because like I know everyone’s different with the ways they need support. I know I’m different from a lot of people I know here. And it’s just nice when you have that one staff member that like gets you in a way you can just go to them and you don’t feel afraid, you don’t feel judged, you don’t feel scared. So that’s always a nice part.
Advice for Others Seeking Help
I had not been afraid of because I let it get worse and worse to the point of being on a feeding tube at one point from points of being on meal plans and snack varieties that just would make a lot of people freak out. And it’s like, get the help that you need for you. It’s not selfish. It’s not wrong. People are going to say that, but it’s not true. Because at the end of the day, if you’re not doing well, then you’re not doing well. It doesn’t matter what other people are thinking you’re not doing well and you deserve to do as well as the person next to you because it’s usually how most people think really accepting loving real honest non-judgmental, compassionate, self-care.
Finding Passion Again
Exceptionally proud of. The first song I ever posted on my current list of songs is called Leave It Up To Me and I kind of made it about the real depth of what I was dealing with with SI, connected to my ED and connecting to like what I was thinking about my life at the time. I just sort of love the staff. They’re all really great people and Celia is one of the best therapists I’ve ever had. Clarissa’s amazing, Danielle’s really cool, Stephen’s really cool. EDS is just a new place honestly I feel like a lot of confidence has come out of being here the second time around. Like I’m noticing more about myself and I’ve had a lot of people really help put me up especially staff with my music and stuff so it’s always really fun. I definitely feel like I’m getting more connected to the things I love again.
Anorexia Nervosa Treatment
Our anorexia nervosa treatment focuses on restoring healthy eating habits and addressing underlying psychological issues. Individual therapy, nutritional counseling, and medical monitoring are integrated to support clients in achieving a balanced relationship with food and body image.
Bulimia Nervosa Treatment
Bulimia treatment aims to break the binge-purge cycle by addressing the emotional triggers and behaviors associated with bulimia. Therapy and nutritional support help clients develop healthier coping mechanisms and improve their relationship with food.
Binge Eating Disorder Treatment
Our binge eating disorder treatment program focuses on managing the emotional factors that lead to overeating. Clients receive therapy and nutritional guidance to develop healthier eating habits and gain control over their eating behaviors.
Body Dysmorphia Treatment
Body dysmorphia treatment helps clients challenge distorted perceptions of their body image. Through specialized therapy, clients learn to develop a more realistic and positive view of their appearance, reducing obsession and anxiety.
ARFID Treatment
Treatment for Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) focuses on expanding dietary variety and reducing food avoidance behaviors. Our program uses therapeutic interventions tailored to the individual’s needs to promote nutritional health.
OSFED Treatment
Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders (OSFED) are treated with customized care plans that address their unique symptoms. Our program provides therapy and support to help clients develop a healthy relationship with food.
UFED Treatment
For Unspecified Feeding or Eating Disorders (UFED), we offer personalized therapy that meets each client’s specific needs, promoting recovery and overall well-being.
Orthorexia Treatment
Orthorexia treatment focuses on reducing the obsession with “perfect” eating. Our approach helps clients develop a balanced relationship with food, emphasizing health without rigid dietary rules.
Compulsive Overeating Treatment
Our treatment for compulsive overeating targets the emotional triggers that lead to overeating. Clients learn to manage these triggers through therapy and nutritional counseling and adopt healthier eating patterns.
Co-Occurring Disorder Treatment
We provide integrated care for clients with eating disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions. This comprehensive approach ensures that all aspects of a client’s well-being are addressed, supporting recovery and overall mental health.
We’re Here to Help
Eating Disorder Solutions offers personalized residential and outpatient eating disorder treatment in the Dallas, TX area. We provide treatment with integrity, promoting holistic approaches that heal the mind, body, and soul. If you’re ready to begin your recovery journey, call us now at 855-245-0961 or complete the form.
What Sets Us Apart
- Personalized Treatment
- Licensed Specialists
- Same-Day Intake
- Flexible Scheduling
- Evidence-Based Therapies
- Long-Term Recovery
Request A Call
Fill out the form below, and we’ll contact you shortly.
Residential Center
Outpatient Center
Adults of All Ages
We treat adults across all life stages, from young professionals to those in midlife or retirement. Some have battled OSFED since adolescence, while others develop symptoms later in life due to stress, health changes, or personal loss.
College Students
College life can increase OSFED risk, with pressures from academics, social comparison, and irregular eating patterns. We help students develop balanced routines, manage campus triggers, and build coping strategies for dining halls, parties, and late-night study sessions.
LGBTQ+ Individuals
We provide affirming, culturally sensitive care for LGBTQ+ clients, recognizing the unique impact of stigma, body image pressures, or gender dysphoria. Our team creates a safe space where clients can explore identity issues and learn healthier ways to cope without relying on disordered eating.
Athletes
Athletes may develop OSFED due to weight pressures, performance demands, or rigid training routines. Our sports-informed team helps clients balance proper nutrition with athletic goals while addressing perfectionism and identity tied to sport.
Working Professionals
High-pressure careers can fuel disordered eating patterns like skipping meals, nighttime overeating, or extreme dieting. We offer flexible in-person and virtual OSFED treatment options to fit around busy work schedules and professional demands.
Most Insurances Accepted
Real People, Real Results
Frequently Asked Questions
What eating disorder behaviors did Audrey struggle with before coming to EDS?
Audrey struggled with severe caloric restriction and compulsive over-exercising, which began around age 16 while playing high school tennis. By age 20, these behaviors had escalated into a full-blown relapse that severely limited their physical mobility.
Does Eating Disorder Solutions treat co-occurring substance use issues?
Yes. As Audrey mentions in their story, their eating disorder overlapped significantly with substance use. Eating Disorder Solutions provides integrated, dual-diagnosis treatment to address both eating disorders and co-occurring mental health or addiction challenges simultaneously.
How is Eating Disorder Solutions different from other treatment centers?
Audrey noted that after unsuccessful stays at other facilities, EDS felt immediately safe and welcoming. They highlighted that the staff at EDS genuinely care about helping clients build a better life, rather than just running a facility. The environment is highly personalized, compassionate, and non-judgmental.
Did Audrey uncover the root causes of their eating disorder during treatment?
Yes. Through intensive therapy at EDS, Audrey was able to explore family dysfunction and childhood experiences that contributed to their disorder. They realized that their eating disorder was a maladaptive way to cope with underlying trauma and emotional pain.
How does EDS support LGBTQ+ and non-binary clients?
Eating Disorder Solutions is deeply committed to providing identity-affirming care. A pivotal moment in Audrey’s recovery was when the clinical staff actively supported their non-binary identity by helping them acquire a chest binder—a level of personalized, affirming care Audrey had not experienced elsewhere.
What levels of care did Audrey participate in?
Audrey’s recovery journey at EDS included multiple levels of care. They participated in both the Residential treatment program and the Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), highlighting the seamless transition and continued support provided across different program levels.
How does the staff at EDS help clients manage mealtime anxiety?
Audrey learned to manage mealtime anxiety by shifting their mindset to view food functionally. The staff helped Audrey understand that everyone’s nutritional needs are different—based on factors like height and body type—which reduced the urge to compare their plate to others.